On Tuesday in Stockholm, Belgian-American particle physicist Francis Halzen was declared the recipient of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics.
The 82-year-old Halzen received recognition for his “significant contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the identification of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin,” according to the awarding institution. The observatory is situated at the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica.
Halzen discovered that the ice at the South Pole could effectively be utilized to detect neutrinos, often referred to as “ghost particles” due to their ability to traverse the Earth and human bodies without leaving a trace, as they interact with matter infrequently.
“These messengers convey information from the universe,” Eva Olsson from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences stated during a press briefing. “They provide insights into distant galaxies and inform us about the phenomena of exploding stars.”
The Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded annually by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, with winners receiving a monetary award of 12 million Swedish crowns (approximately $1.7 million CAD).
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The IceCube, which spans an entire cubic kilometer, became operational in 2011, marking the realization of a vision for the South Pole observatory that originated in the late 1980s, according to the academy.
Halzen expressed gratitude during a news conference conducted by phone, stating, “I must highlight how fortunate I was because, when we embarked on this project, everyone thought it was a promising idea, but very few believed it would succeed, myself included.” He thanked his collaborators from over the years.
Halzen, who has been associated with the University of Wisconsin–Madison for many years, mentioned to the academy that he was “thrilled” and “taken aback” by the announcement, which coincided with his attendance at a conference in Italy.
In 2014, Smithsonian magazine honored Halzen with the nickname “Neutrino Man” as part of its Ingenuity Awards.
The Nobel Prize for Physics was awarded today, revealing the scientist’s strong connections to Sudbury. We’ll hear more from SNOLAB executive director Jodi Cooley.
Clues to the universe
Neutrinos are everywhere—tiny cosmic particles that possess an astonishingly small mass. They emanate from stars like the sun, with trillions passing through our bodies every second.
Researchers cannot observe these enigmatic ghost particles directly. Instead, they analyze the results of collisions between these tiny particles and other matter, which produce flashes of light or charged particles.
An undated handout image presents the IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole. (Marc Jacquart/IceCube/NSF/Reuters)
Halzen investigated a unique group of neutrinos that scientists regard as messengers from the universe, providing insights into the evolution of the cosmos.
“Francis Halzen has spearheaded an international team of researchers and engineers who have given us an extraordinary tool,” said Mark Pearce, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, in a statement. “His determination and scientific foresight have opened the door to a new type of astronomy.”
Observatory extension in progress
The observatory station, which accommodates various activities, can support up to 150 individuals and features an industrial kitchen, dining area, gym, and even a greenhouse.
Plans are underway for an extension, IceCube-Gen2, which will cover eight cubic kilometers of ice and is expected to become operational by 2033, enabling the detection of ten times as many neutrinos, including those that are much weaker.
Halzen mentioned that the primary outcomes of his research have yet to be revealed and that it is premature to determine exactly what insights it may provide about the universe.
“The real thrill is that I cannot answer that question at this moment,” he stated. “This is merely an introduction to the science; the astronomy is yet to unfold.”
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever extended his congratulations to Halzen for receiving recognition for “a life dedicated to uncovering the greatest secrets of the cosmos through its most minute manifestations.”
The discovery of neutrino oscillations was honored by the Swedish academy in 2015, with Canadian scientist Dr. Arthur McDonald sharing the Nobel Prize in Physics that year.
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The Nobel Prize in Chemistry will be announced on Wednesday, with the literature prize following on Thursday and the peace prize on Friday. The economics prize will be revealed on October 12.
The Nobel Prize was established by the affluent Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel, who in his will specified that the majority of his estate should fund “prizes for those who, during the previous year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humanity.”
Nobel, recognized primarily as the inventor of dynamite, also authored poetry and plays and was fluent in Russian, French, English, and German by the age of 17. The initial five prize categories reflect his closest interests.
The Nobel prizes are awarded to the laureates on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s passing.
